Tire size...61

**ew1usnr** · July 9th, 2014, 05:35 AM

I think that you are correct on the Maxxis 185/80R13 tire, at least for my V-8 Futura with 5 lug, 6.5 x 13-inch wheels.

The Maxxis will fit a 5 - 6.5" wide rims.
See: http://www.cokertire.com/maxxis-185-80r13.html
You can get them for $104.89 each with Free shipping from Amazon.

Firestone offers 13-inch whitewall 155, 165, 175, and 185/80 sizes See Firestone FR380 whitewall tires: http://www.tireboy.com/firestone_fr380.htm
But ......
The Firestone 185/80R13 will only fit 4.5 - 6" rims.
See: http://www.tireboy.com/firestone_fr380_tire_specs.htm

It looks like Milestar discontinued the 175/80 R13 and now only have a 155/80R13.
See: http://www.milestartire.com/tires/ms775

This page: http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ti...r_260_v-8.html
says that a Sprint is supposed to have 165/80R13 tires. I think that they made a mistake and were referencing standard 6" x 13" wheels and a Sprint had 6.5" x 13" wheels.

**Nathan289** · July 9th, 2014, 06:14 AM

Not sure about the link above, but a 6.00x13 tire has a diameter of 24.5"

The closest we have today is the 185/80r13 at 24.7

If you can get firestone 380s you are luckier than I am.

The only tire I could find was the maxxis m1a that was a new tire and not a tire sitting on a shelf in some guys garage for the last 10 years.

There were lots of tires listed but never any available.

Unless i visited Corker tire..

Trailer tires was the only tire readily available.

Like I said. Its easier to find 14" so I went that route. But in a few years 14s will become a speciality tire like the 13.

**dhbfaster** · July 9th, 2014, 09:09 PM

Wow, thanks for all this info....

So, the 6.00 vs 6.50 is the tread width at the widest part?
AND, either one of these sizes should fit the same origional wheels I have? or does the 6.5 need a wider wheel?

The 4 tires on my car that touch the road now are:
Kumho Power Star Radials, 185/70 R13 black walls. I have always felt they are short and just look small. (Thanks for the diameter info Nathan.)
Based on your info, I measured them...I get 22 3/4 inches in diameter. (Tread is like new.)

My spare (much older...can't tell how old..old date code ending in "8" might be 1968, maybe 78):
This one is a Peerless, 6.00 x 13 (says on the side it replaces 5.90 x 13). This one is a 4 ply Nylon. (The strange thing is the tread looks a little worn, but it has an unreadable Discount Tire Co. sticker on it...maybe it was bought used? Was the spare tire an option on a cheaper model falcon? I can see my Grandfather buying that wheel later to save a buck and putting a used tire on there..)
Anyway, the diameter is 24 1/4 inches. An inch and a half bigger than the others.

I do like the radial ride-especially since I don't plan to drive it every day and 4 ply will thump, thump thump, but I want the origional look. I kind of prefer the black walls actually...that's how my Granddad had it...and he would never want to keep those white walls clean, but I have to admit the large white walls in the old falcon brochures look pretty nice.

The tires now look small and puny and modern, and the car looks lower than it should be (but not in a good way..) I kind of like the old funny looking skinny tire look.

So, I think I definitely prefer the 6.00 or 6.50 to get the larger diameter.

I went to the Coker website...(all sickenly expensive but WTH)

For the 600x13, only two options...really one, the BF Goodrich 4 ply (I think 4ply...it doesn't say), with whitewalls...pick either 1" or 2". The 2" looks pretty nice. Looks like the tire in the falcon brochure. (See if this link will work..)
http://www.dograt.com/WordPress/wp-c...falconad01.jpg
BUT, did they pair these white wall tires with the wheels with the bottle cap hub caps? Not sure it would look right.

However, if I go 650x13, there are a lot more options. Including...an American Classic black wall, 24.6 diameter...which is actually a radial that doesn't look like a radial...same price as the BF Goodrich whitewall 4 ply. Looks like it belongs on the car except a tad wide. I don't think the tad wide is as noticeable.

I'm glad to know about the diameter of the 185/80 r13...I'm afraid it will still look like a modern tire. So, If I am going to change, I might as well do the classic tires.

Back to my first question...6.00 or 6.50 should both fit my wheel?

Also...if anyone is interested in the 4 tires I have now...I'm happy to let them go when I finally make the change, not a crack on them yet and no tread wear at all...let me know if anyone is interested and for paid club members a deal you can't refuse for sure. Thanks!

**Nathan289** · July 9th, 2014, 09:52 PM

185X.70X2/25.4+13= diameter..

Above formula only works for metric tires and is rounded number not 100% exact.

To answer your question all three tire options will fit all the wheel options, BUT... it could affect appearance and ride handling.

You need to find out how wide your wheels are. The wider the better.. let me explain.

A really wide tire on a narrow rim makes the tires look balloonist and causes tire scrub (might be the wrong term) in cornering situations. Not good

Skinny tires on a wide rim actually makes the tires shorter and wider looking but narrower contact patch.. gotta stretch to make them fit.. not good either..

Ideal would be middle sized wheel choice with the 6.50 tire..

Most tire manufactures will list recommend rim widths..

My 65 f100 just got 15x8 wheels.. max tire width is 12.5"
Which is past my comfort zone. 10.5 wide is my plan.. 9.5 is what I have for now.

**dhbfaster** · July 9th, 2014, 10:41 PM

Makes sense...do I just measure the width at the outside of the rim at the outter diameter of the wheel?
If so, looks like it's 5 inches.

On the Coker site,
the 600 tires have recomended rim width of 4-4.5
the 650 tires all have recomended rim width of 4.5-5.0
(the 700x13 tires, which is says are station wagon only, it recomends 4.5-6 inch rim.)

So, seems like I'm best off with the 650?
How do you know all this stuff Nathan??

**Nathan289** · July 10th, 2014, 04:32 AM

Wheel width us measured inside to inside.. or bead surface to beaf surface.
if you're measuring 5" more than likely you have the 4.5 wheel.

You'll be fine with the 6.50

Appears I was a little off on my factory widths. Been a while since I measured the factory wheels.

Imna modern tire size guy. First thing I change is tires and wheels. Usually got big like 16's or 17's.

One the cars I kept 13's it was install 185/80r13 and done.

The latest wagon is getting 14's.. the one size wheel I haven't messed with yet.

How do I know all this stuff? Im a gear head with a photo graphic memory. If I pay attention and read the page numbers I could tell you where exactly in a book I read something.

Plus many years of working in the auto repair industry. . Used to run a tire store in my youth.

Free advice.. never turn a hobby into a career.. it ruins the hobby. Took me ten years to get back to enjoying my hobby.
Plus life got in the way.. still does.. but I try my best

**dhbfaster** · October 12th, 2014, 08:53 AM

Nathan...getting a little closer to this tire decision
I found these 185/70r13 tires at pep boys
http://www.pepboys.com/tires/details...C/575146/01474
Based on the estimate from your formula they would be about 24.4" diameter, about 1.2" bigger than my 185/70r13's I have now and about the same as the 600 or 650-13's sold by Coker which says they are 23.8 to 24.6.
These tires at pep boys are "trailer tires" however. Does that mean I don't want them? Or is that just that these are really auto tires marketed for trailers now?

**dhbfaster** · August 31st, 2021, 04:46 PM

Just closing this out with the final tires I ended up with on the car.
P175/80R13 Maxxis brand. The size feels and looks right for the car. I bought mine from Walmart.